September 28, 2021
Saskatchewan curlers one step closer to representing Canada at Olympics
Regina’s Team Matt Dunstone went 5-1 at the Olympic Curling Trials Direct Entry Event in Ottawa to secure one of the men’s spots at the Canadian Olympic Curling Qualifier in November in Saskatoon.
Dunstone, who’s rink includes Braeden Moskowy, Kirk Muyres and Dustin Kidby, scored a deuce in an extra end against Glenn Howard to secure the spot. The Tim Horton’s Canadian Curling Trials is set for Nov. 20-28 in Saskatoon.
Saskatoon-based rink skipped by Colton Flasch was also competing in the direct entry event in Ottawa and went 1-4. The rink will still have a chance to qualify through the Home Hardware Curling Pre-Trials in late October in Liverpool, N.S.
Three Saskatchewan-based rinks were competing in a Pre-Trials in Ottawa to earn spots for the Liverpool, N.S. Pre-Trials event, the final chance to qualify for the Olympic Canadian trials. Saskatoon’s Ashely Howard, North Battleford’s Jessie Hunkin and Saskatoon’s Shaun Meachem all failed to advance from the triple-knockout event.
Team Flasch will be joined by Saskatoon’s Sherry Anderson and Moose Jaw’s Penny Barker at the Liverpool final chance pre-trials. Saskatchewan skip Pat Simmons will also be at the event with a Winnipeg-based rink.
Two-time Olympian from Regina Ben Hebert and his Alberta Kevin Koe rink has already qualified for the Canadian Olympic Trials.
Lisa Thomadis and Basketball Canada part ways
After nine years as head coach of the Canadian women’s senior national basketball team, Lisa Thomaidis and Basketball Canada have mutually agreed to part ways.
Thomaidis, whose contract with Basketball Canada expired at the end of September, has been with the program since joining the team in 2001 as an assistant coach with Allison McNeill’s staff. She took over the top position in 2013, leading the red and white to Olympic appearances at the 2016 Rio Games and, most recently, the 2020 Tokyo Games.
During the Tokyo Games, Canada finished the round robin with a 1-2 record and did not advance to playoffs.
In a release from Basketball Canada, Thomaidis made the following statement:
“Leading our Canadian Senior Women’s National Team over the last nine years has been the highest honour and an absolute privilege. Our accomplishments have been historic and ones that took working with a true team to achieve. Ultimately, I want to thank all the athletes, coaches, and staff who I had the privilege of working with over the years. It will be the relationships formed and connections made along this journey that I will always cherish. Through everyone’s passion and dedication, we elevated our program to where it is today. As I step aside, I do so with immense pride and satisfaction knowing that I gave everything I had to the program.”
Read more on basketball.ca.